Rockstar Bay Academy: A Stepbrother Romance

Chapter 39: End of Year Showcase

Lilah

At the beginning of the year, my dream was to perform in the end-of-year showcase. Now, here I am, waiting to take the stage with Asher. I'm doing my best to soak in the excitement and atmosphere, to appreciate what I've accomplished and achieved this year, but I'm too focused on not messing up. Asher stands close, his shoulder touching mine as we wait. Although he doesn't say it, I can feel his silent reassurance in the strength and confidence and the protective position he stands in next to me. Nonetheless, my stomach churns with nerves as Mr. Watkins places a hand on my shoulder, signalling that they're ready for us.

The stage lights are dim, but I feel overheated from my nerves as Asher and I step out from behind the blush-red curtains where we've been waiting. My heart races with both excitement and fear as we take our seats, arranged on stage for us. The room is packed with alumni and industry bigwigs, all eager to see what we can do. I know I'll be offered a spot at the Australian University of Music, barring a complete disaster tonight. Asher and I have rehearsed this song countless times this year; I can play it in my sleep. We're ready.

As we begin to sing, the music takes over, and I forget everything except Asher and this song about impossibility. The message of our song, the words about impossibility, resonate more strongly than before. Four months ago, Asher and I were still skirting around the connection between us. Ethan still posed an obstacle. Now, Ethan knows and has given us his blessing, but our careers and circumstances are poised to pull us apart in a matter of weeks.

As the song reaches its climax and Asher and I sing together, I become emotional. Asher's voice still blends seamlessly with mine, and, thankfully, the emotion in my voice doesn't hinder our performance; it enhances it.

It was easier to hate you. Can't we turn back the clock? Longing for the impossible. Now this is all we'll have Me: Yeah, this is all we'll be Asher: Because, baby, we're impossible. Both of us: Yeah, we're impossible.

I've known all along that saying goodbye to Asher at the end of the year would be difficult and painful. However, as we sing together, our voices melding in perfect harmony, the agonizing realization that I'm in much deeper than I ever intended forces me to sing around the tennis ball-sized lump in my throat. As our eyes lock, the intensity of the moment swells, and there's a magnetic pull between us that's almost impossible to ignore.

Tonight, he looks every bit the sexy rock God, dressed in all black, with his longish dark hair and his dark eyes. Asher exudes confidence and power at the best of times, but it's more subtle off stage. On stage, he's irresistible. It's as if a raw energy courses through him, igniting a fire that burns brightly, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. As our gazes remain entwined, I can't help but feel the weight of how much I want him, a need that seems to intensify with every beat of my racing heart.

I dove into this relationship with Asher, trying to savour every moment, every stolen kiss, every touch that sent shivers down my spine. I thought I was holding back a part of myself, keeping a piece of my heart guarded, aware that the end was looming. But now, sitting here with him, feeling the electricity and the gravitational pull he has over me, I know that when he leaves, it's still going to hurt more than anything I've experienced before.

Too Much at stake. Pretend we don't ache. Regret every chance we didn't take. If we'd dared to love before turning to hate...Baby, we wouldn't be where we are.

As Asher plays his guitar and I sing the final part of this song, the finality and inevitability of this moment—the fact this might be the last time we play together for who knows how long—make finishing without crying a challenge, especially when I sing the one line I changed.